Managing power utilized within a local power network

ABSTRACT

Power utilized in a local power network may be managed. The local power network may include a power management system. The power management system may communicate with one or more of a circuit controller, a switch controller, and/or an outlet controller in order to manage power utilization.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/706,975 filed Feb. 17, 2010 and entitled “MANAGING POWERUTILIZED WITHIN A LOCAL POWER NETWORK,” which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to electrical power management. Inparticular, the invention relates to managing power utilized within alocal power network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Systems for distributing power within a local power network (e.g.,electrical infrastructure of a building and/or campus) exist. Thesesystems generally include fuse boxes and/or breaker boxes, which lackdynamic functionality. As such, power utilization management such asscheduling is performed in a distributed manner with timers associatedwith every managed load within the local power network. Such powermanagements schemes may be subject to inaccuracies in time and constantreadjustments due to changes in season and daylight savings. Errors inpower utilization management can result in overages in power usage, suchas with standby power usage, which have been reported to reach up to 22%of all appliance consumption and around 10% of total residentialconsumption. Some systems, such as home automation systems, may managevarious loads within a local power network merely to enhanceconvenience, but neglect management of power consumption by those loads.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention relates to a local power network. The localpower network may include one or more loads. The local power network mayinclude a power management system that may manage power utilization ofone or more of the loads. The power management system may becommunicatively connected with at least one intelligent distributionboard or a constituent component thereof. In some implementations, thepower management system and the intelligent distribution board may beintegrated as a single device having some or all of the functionalitiesattributed herein with the power management system and the intelligentdistribution board. The intelligent distribution board may beelectrically connected and/or communicatively connected with at leastone intelligent switch or a constituent component thereof. Theintelligent distribution board may be electrically connected and/orcommunicatively connected with at least one intelligent outlet or aconstituent component thereof. In some implementations, the powermanagement system is communicatively coupled with at least oneintelligent switch and/or at least one intelligent outlet. Theintelligent switches and the intelligent outlets each may be associatedwith one or more loads. The local power network may include at least onepower meter. Electrical power is delivered from a power supply to theloads via power lines or radio frequency that electrically connectconstituent components of the local power network.

The loads may include any apparatus that requires electrical power toperform at least one functionality attributed thereto. Examples of theloads may include appliances such as HVAC systems and kitchenappliances, lighting fixtures, consumer electronic devices such ascomputers and stereos, and/or any other apparatus that can be configuredto consume electrical power. Some of the loads may be permanentlyintegrated with the local power network. In contrast, some of the loadsmay be removably coupled with the local power network. The loads may becontrolled in various manners including, but not limited to, turning on,turning off, and/or changing a power level (e.g., brightness for lights,temperature for HVAC systems, and so forth).

The power management system may be configured to manage powerutilization of one or more of the loads. Such management may be based atleast in part on one or more factors such as, for example, schedulingcriteria, planning requirements, business rules, optimizationparameters, and/or any other factors. In exemplary implementations, thepower management system may provide circuit-level, switch-level, and/oroutlet-level power control, monitoring, and/or scheduling. This level ofcontrol may be used to eliminate or greatly reduce power consumption byone or more loads that are in standby mode or other modes where powerleakage is probable.

The power management system may access, control, and/or manipulatevarious constituent components of the local power network. In someimplementations, the local power network may include or be otherwiseassociated with more than one power management system working inconcert. In some implementations, the power management system may beconfigured such that a reboot of a processing platform that includes thepower management system does not interrupt power delivery within thelocal power network. The power management system may be located remotelyrelative to the local power network, for example, within the computingdevice, and/or located elsewhere.

The intelligent distribution board may include at least one distributionboard, at least one circuit controller, and/or other components. Thedistribution board may include an apparatus configured to divideelectrical power, such as that received from the power supply, amongconstituent components of the local power network. The circuitcontroller may be configured to control various aspects of thedistribution board. According to some implementations, the distributionboard and the circuit controller may be integrated as a single componenthaving some or all of the functionalities attributed herein to thedistribution board and the circuit controller. In some implementations,the distribution board may be a preexisting distribution board, whereinthe circuit controller is utilized to retrofit the preexistingdistribution board to form the intelligent distribution board.

The distribution board may include one or more of a breaker panel, fusebox, fuse board, circuit breaker panel, consumer unit, panel board, loadcenter, power breaker, and/or any other apparatus configured to divideelectrical power among constituent components of the local powernetwork. The distribution board may include breakers, fuses, and/orother protective devices configured to at least temporarily preventpower from being delivered to constituent component of the local powernetwork. Various constituent components of the local power network maybe organized into individual circuits, such that power may be dividedamong the individual circuits by the distribution board.

As mentioned, various aspects of the distribution board may becontrolled by the circuit controller. For example, the circuitcontroller may be configured control the distribution board so as todisconnect, energize, and/or otherwise control one or more individualcircuits in the local power network. The circuit controller may beconfigured to receive and/or exchange information with the powermanagement system. The circuit controller may control aspects of thedistribution board based at least in part on information received fromthe power management system.

The intelligent switches may each include at least one switch and/or oneswitch controller. From a user's perspective, the intelligent switchesmay function similarly to traditional household wall switches. Theswitch, for example, may include an apparatus configured to reversiblyconnect and disconnect, electrically, a load. When that load iselectrically connected, power may be provided to that load. Conversely,when that load is electrically disconnected, power delivery to that loadis prevented. The switch controller may be configured to control theswitch. In some implementations, the switch and the switch controllermay be integrated as a single component having some or all of thefunctionalities attributed herein to the switch and the switchcontroller. According to some implementations, the switch may be apreexisting switch, wherein the switch controller is utilized toretrofit the preexisting switch to form an intelligent switch.

As indicated, the switch may include an apparatus configured toreversibly connect and disconnect, electrically, a load. Examples ofsuch apparatus that may be configured to reversibly connect anddisconnect loads in the local power network may include a push buttonswitch, a toggle switch, an illuminated switch, a rocker switch, atamper resistant switch, a voltage class switch, a mercury switch, apull chain or pull cord switch, a dimmer switch, an electronic switch,and so forth. In one non-limiting example, the load may include a lightfixture and the switch may include a light switch configured to turn thelight fixture on and off. The switch may facilitate two-way, three-way,four-way, and/or double-pole wiring schemes.

The switch, as mentioned, may be controlled by the switch controller.For example, the switch controller may be configured to modulate oractuate the switch. The switch controller may be configured to receiveand/or exchange information with the power management system. As such,the switch controller may modulate the switch based at least in part oninformation received from the power management system.

The intelligent outlets may each include at least one outlet receptacleand/or at least one outlet controller. From a user's perspective, theintelligent outlets may function similarly to traditional household walloutlets. The outlet receptacle may include an apparatus configured tofacilitate a removable connection between, for example, an intelligentoutlet and a load. The outlet controller may be configured to control anaspect of the outlet receptacle. In accordance with someimplementations, the outlet receptacle and the outlet controller may beintegrated as a single component having some or all of thefunctionalities attributed herein to the outlet receptacle and theoutlet controller. In some implementations, the outlet receptacle may bea preexisting outlet receptacle, wherein the outlet controller isutilized to retrofit the preexisting outlet receptacle to form anintelligent outlet.

As an apparatus configured to facilitate removable connections betweenan intelligent outlet and a load, the outlet receptacle may include, forexample, one or more female electrical connectors such as power sockets,electric receptacles, and/or electrical outlets. A female electricalconnector may have slots and/or holes that accept and deliver power toprongs of inserted plugs. By way of non-limiting example, the load mayinclude a kitchen appliance having a cord with a plug at the end thatmay be inserted into the outlet receptacle in order to electricallyconnect the kitchen appliance to the intelligent outlet and, thus,receive electrical power.

As noted above, the outlet controller may control aspects of the outletreceptacle. More specifically, according to various implementations, theoutlet controller may control the outlet receptacle such that power isprevented from being provided to a connected load. The outlet controllermay be configured to receive and/or exchange information with the powermanagement system. The control of the outlet controller by the outletreceptacle may be based at least in part on information received fromthe power management system.

The power meter may include any device or apparatus configured tomeasure electrical power delivered by a power line. The power meter maymeasure, for example, one or more of line current, line voltage, and/orother factors useful in determining power. The power meter may bepositioned in-line between the power supply and the intelligentdistribution board. In such a configuration, the power meter maydetermine an amount of power delivered to the local power network over aperiod of time. The power meter may be positioned in-line betweenvarious constituent components of the local power network. For example,the power meter may be positioned between the intelligent distributionboard and an intelligent outlet in order to determine an amount of powertransmitted between the intelligent distribution board and thatintelligent outlet. It will be appreciated that the local power networkmay include any number of power meters, which may be positioned in anynumber of locations within the local power network. Informationdetermined by the power meter may be obtained by other constituentcomponent of the local power network in some implementations.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a power management systemthat may be invoked in a local power network. The power managementsystem may be configured to manage power utilization of one or moreloads. The power management system may include an electronic storage anda processor. The processor may be configured to execute one or more ofan interface module; a communications module; a power utilizationmonitoring module; a load identification module; a power conservationmodule that may include one or more of a scheduling sub-module, abusiness rules sub-module, a usage profile sub-module, an artificialintelligence sub-module, and/or other sub-modules; and/or othermodules/sub-modules.

The interface module may be configured to receive, from a user, a set ofpower management parameters. In some implementations, the interfacemodule may be further configured to provide a graphical user interfaceto facilitate receiving the set of power management parameters.Alternatively or additionally, the set of power management parametersmay be received from the user via a processing platform that is entirelydiscrete and separate from the power management system such as acomputing device communicatively coupled with the power managementsystem. Power management parameters may include any parameter associatedwith loads or other constituent components of the local power network.By way of non-limiting example, some power management parameters aredescribed in connection various modules and sub-modules herein.Generally speaking, the interface module may be used in conjunction withone or more interface devices.

The communications module may be configured to transfer informationbetween the power management system and one or more constituentcomponents of the local power network via one or more communicativeconnections. For example, the communications module may transmit aninstruction to the intelligent distribution board, one or moreintelligent switches, one or more intelligent outlets, and/orconstituent components thereof.

The power utilization monitoring module may be configured to determinean amount of power utilized by at least one of the loads. Such adetermination may be made through direct monitoring of powerutilization. Additionally or alternatively, the determination may bebased at least in part on information received from other constituentcomponents of the local power network indicative of power usage ofassociated loads. In some implementations, the power utilizationmonitoring module may be configured to calculate an electric billestimation based at least in part on the amount of power utilized by theloads and costs associated with power delivered from the power supply. Areport may be generated that conveys information about power utilizationwithin the local power network such as, for example, individual outletutilization, individual circuit utilization, power usage as a functionof time, and so forth. Such a report may be presented by the interfacemodule.

The load identification module may be configured to obtain an identityof at least one of the loads. In some implementations, the identity issensed based on usage profiles of a given load. The identity may beprovided by a user, such as via the interface module. The identity maybe transmitted directly from the load, via an intelligent switch, and/orvia an intelligent outlet.

The power conservation module may be configured to generate instructionsfor other constituent components of the local power network. Thegenerated instructions may be intended to effectuate energization anddeactivation of one or more circuits in the local power network and/orone or more of the loads. The generated instructions may be based atleast in part on any number of power management parameters. For example,the generated instructions may be based at least in part on the identityof at least one of the loads. The generated instructions may be based atleast in part one power management parameters of the schedulingsub-module, the business rules sub-module, and/or the usage profilesub-module.

The scheduling sub-module may be configured to manage a scheduleassociated with at least one of the loads. Such a schedule may beindicative of time periods of energization and deactivation of the oneor more circuits and/or the one or more of the loads. For example, aschedule may indicate that a circuit containing a particular load is tobe deactivated from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM on weekdays. A schedule may bestatically or dynamically established, and may be based at least in parton one or more of preset time periods, occupancy sensors, daylightsensors, computed dusk/dawn time, holiday schedules, and/or any othertiming indicator. The instructions generated by the power conservationmodule may be based at least in part on the schedule.

The business rules sub-module may be configured to manage one or morebusiness rules associated with the local power network. A business rulemay be a statement that defines or constrains some aspect of a business.A business rule may be intended to assert business structure or tocontrol or influence the behavior of a business. Individual businessrules that describe the same facet of a business may be arranged intobusiness rule sets. Business rules may describe operations, definitions,and constraints that apply the loads or various circuits to aid abusiness in achieving its goals. The instructions generated by the powerconservation module may be based at least in part on the business rules.

The usage profile sub-module may be configured to determine time periodsof energization and deactivation of one or more circuits and/or one ormore of the loads based at least in part on a usage profile of one ormore of the loads. A usage profile, for example, may include ahistorical usage pattern of a particular load. As an illustration, whenthe usage profile sub-module determines, based on power consumption orsome other factor, that a given load is in standby mode during certaintimes, the usage profile sub-module may inform the power conservationmodule to generate instructions to deactivate that given load duringthose certain times.

The artificial intelligence sub-module may be configured to adaptivelymanage goals associated with power utilization. More specifically, powerutilization may be controlled to achieve one or more desired goals suchas meeting a power usage limit, budget constraints, and/or safetytargets. Goals may be default goals, specified by a user, downloaded,configured automatically, and/or obtained by any other manner or fromany source. The artificial intelligence sub-module may observe anenvironment of the local power network to determine routines and torespond accordingly. The artificial intelligence sub-module may beconfigured manage and/or schedule power utilization by loads based atleast in part on external events and/or input. The instructionsgenerated by the power conservation module may be based at least in parton goals managed by the artificial intelligence sub-module.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a circuit controller that maybe invoked, in conjunction with a power management system, in a localpower network. The circuit controller may be configured to controlvarious aspects of a distribution board. For example, the circuitcontroller may be configured to reversibly effectuate energization anddeactivation of one or more circuits to which the distribution boarddivides power. The circuit controller may include an electronic storageand a processor. The processor may be configured to execute one or moreof a communications module, a circuit regulator module, a powerutilization monitoring module, a load identification module, and/orother modules/sub-modules.

The communications module may be configured to transfer information(e.g., instruction) to and from the power management system via acommunicative connection. For example, the communications module mayreceive an instruction from the power management system to energize ordeactivate one or more circuits to which the distribution board dividespower among.

The circuit regulator module may be configured to reversibly effectuateenergization and deactivation of the one or more circuits and/or one ormore of the loads in response to instructions received from the powermanagement system. For example, execution of the circuit regulatormodule may cause a breaker having controlled switching capabilityincluded in the distribution board to deactivate a particular circuit inresponse to a received instruction to deactivate a given load containedin that particular circuit.

The power utilization monitoring module may be configured to determinean indication of an amount of power utilized by at least one circuit orat least one of the loads. Such a determination may be made throughdirect monitoring of power utilization. Additionally or alternatively,the indication may be transmitted to the power management system via thecommunications module.

The load identification module may be configured to obtain an identityof at least one of the loads. In some implementations, the identity issensed based on usage profiles of a given load. The identity may beprovided by a user. The identity may be received directly from the load.The identity may be transmitted to the power management system via thecommunications module.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a switch controller that maybe invoked, in conjunction with a power management system, in a localpower network. The switch controller may be configured to control aswitch. For example, the switch controller may be configured toreversibly effectuate energization and deactivation of one or more loadsconnected with an associated switch. The switch controller may includean electronic storage and a processor. The processor may be configuredto execute one or more of a communications module, a switch regulatormodule, a power utilization monitoring module, a load identificationmodule, and/or other modules/sub-modules.

The communications module may be configured to transfer information toand from the power management system via a communicative connection. Forexample, the communications module may receive an instruction from thepower management system to energize or deactivate a load connected to anassociated switch.

The switch regulator module may be configured to reversibly effectuateenergization and deactivation of one or more of the loads connected toan associated switch in response to instructions received from the powermanagement system. For example, execution of the switch regulator modulemay cause a switch to be actuated to deactivate a particular load inresponse to a received instruction to deactivate that given load.

The power utilization monitoring module may be configured to determinean indication of an amount of power utilized by at least one of theloads. Such a determination may be made through direct monitoring ofpower utilization. For loads included in a given circuit that are notdirectly monitored, the determination of power utilization may becomputed such as by subtracting the power utilization of monitored loadsin the given circuit from the total power utilization of the givencircuit. Trending may be invoked to determine power utilization such asby comparing circuit power utilization before and after a given load isenergized. Additionally or alternatively, the indication may betransmitted to the power management system via the communicationsmodule.

The load identification module may be configured to obtain an identityof at least one of the loads. In some implementations, the identity issensed based on usage profiles of a given load. The identity may beprovided by a user. The identity may be received directly from the load.The identity may be transmitted to the power management system via thecommunications module.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an outlet controller that maybe invoked, in conjunction with a power management system, in a localpower network. The outlet controller may be configured to control anaspect of an outlet receptacle. For example, the outlet controller maybe configured to reversibly effectuate energization and deactivation ofone or more loads connected to an associated outlet receptacle. Theoutlet controller may include an electronic storage and a processor. Theprocessor may be configured to execute one or more of a communicationsmodule, a outlet regulator module, a power utilization monitoringmodule, a load identification module, and/or other modules/sub-modules.

The communications module may be configured to transfer information toand from the power management system via a communicative connection. Forexample, the communications module may receive an instruction from thepower management system to energize or deactivate a load connected to anassociated outlet receptacle.

The outlet regulator module may be configured to reversibly effectuateenergization and deactivation of one or more of the loads connected toan associated outlet receptacle in response to instructions receivedfrom the power management system. For example, execution of the outletregulator module may cause an internal switching mechanism of anassociated intelligent outlet to be actuated to deactivate a particularload in response to a received instruction to deactivate that givenload.

The power utilization monitoring module may be configured to determinean indication of an amount of power utilized by at least one of theloads. Such a determination may be made through direct monitoring ofpower utilization. Additionally or alternatively, the indication may betransmitted to the power management system via the communicationsmodule.

The load identification module may be configured to obtain an identityof at least one of the loads. In some implementations, the identity issensed based on usage profiles of a given load. The identity may beprovided by a user. The identity may be received directly from the load.The identity may be transmitted to the power management system via thecommunications module.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the presentinvention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of therelated elements of structure and the combination of parts and economiesof manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment in which implementations ofthe present technology may be practiced.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary implementation of alocal power network.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a power managementsystem.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a circuit controller.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a switch controller.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an outlet controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment 100 in which implementationsof the present technology may be practiced. The environment 100 mayinclude at least one local power network 102 that may receive electricalpower from at least one power supply 104. The local power network 102may include an electrical infrastructure of a structure, group ofstructures, vehicle, vessel, and any other system that may utilizeelectrical power. Examples of structures include permanent buildingssuch as office buildings, brick and mortar commercial storefronts,apartment buildings, houses, other dwellings, and so forth. A structuremay include a temporary structure such as a tent or other structure thatis meant to be temporarily erected. Groups of structures may include,for example, a university campus, a business park, and the like. Avehicle may include a car or truck, whereas a vessel may include a boator other marine vehicle. The local power network 102 is describedfurther in connection with FIG. 2.

One or more constituent components of the local power network 102 may becommunicatively coupled with a communications network 106. One or morecomputing devices such as computing device 108 may be communicativelycoupled with the communications network 106. The communications network106 may facilitate transfer of information between the computing device108 and one or more constituent components of the local power network102. Although FIG. 1 depicts one local power network (i.e., local powernetwork 102), it is noteworthy that the environment 100 may include anynumber of local power networks.

The power supply 104 may include any source of electrical power. Forexample, the power supply 104 may include remote power generationinstallation such as power plant. Such a power plant may includecoal-burning power plant, a nuclear power plant, and so on. As anotherexample, the power supply 104 may include a power generator thatconverts tidal energy of the ocean into power that is usable within thelocal power network 102. Additionally or alternatively, the power supply104 may include a local power generation installation such as one ormore solar cells that convert electromagnetic radiation from the sun topower that is usable within the local power network 102. The powersupply 104 may include a portable generator that operates, for example,on gasoline. The power supply 104 may include power storage devices suchas batteries and/or capacitive storage devices. According to someimplementations, the power supply 104 may be contained within the localpower network 102.

The communications network 106 may include hardware and/or software thatfacilitate the transfer of information. For example, the communicationsnetwork 106 may include the Internet, an intranet, a wide-area network,a local-area network, or any combination thereof. According to variousimplementations, the communications network 106 may include wiredportions and/or wireless portions.

The computing device 108 may include any device that is capable ofsending information to and/or receiving information from one or moreconstituent components of the local power network 102 via thecommunications network 106. Examples of the computing device 108 mayinclude personal computers such as desktops and laptops, workstations,servers, handheld devices such as personal digital assistants, and soforth. In some implementations, the computing device 108 may host orprovide access to an interface (e.g., a web-based interface) that allowsa user or administrator to access, control, and/or manipulate one ormore constituent components of the local power network 102. Such aninterface may include a graphical user interface provided on thecomputing device 108. The graphical user interface may be configured toreceive, such as from a user of the computing device 108, a set of powermanagement parameters to by utilized by the power management system 204.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary implementation of thelocal power network 102 depicted in FIG. 1. The local power network 102may include one or more loads such as loads 202 a, 202 b, 202 c, 202 d,202 e, and 202 f. The local power network 102 may include a powermanagement system 204 that may manage power utilization of one or moreof the loads 202. The power management system 204 may be communicativelyconnected with at least one intelligent distribution board 206 or aconstituent component thereof. In some implementations, the powermanagement system 204 and the intelligent distribution board 206 may beintegrated as a single device having some or all of the functionalitiesattributed herein with the power management system 204 and theintelligent distribution board 206. The intelligent distribution board206 may be electrically connected and/or communicatively connected withat least one intelligent switch (e.g., intelligent switches 208 a, 208b, and/or 208 c) or a constituent component thereof. The intelligentdistribution board 206 may be electrically connected and/orcommunicatively connected with at least one intelligent outlet (e.g.,intelligent outlets 210 a, 210 b, and/or 210 c) or a constituentcomponent thereof. In some implementations, the power management system204 is communicatively couple with at least one intelligent switch 208and/or at least one intelligent outlet 210. The intelligent switches 208and the intelligent outlets 210 each may be associated with one or moreloads (e.g., loads 202). The local power network 102 may include atleast one power meter 212. Electrical power is delivered from the powersupply 104 to the loads 202 via power lines (e.g., power lines 226) thatelectrically connect constituent components of the local power network102.

Communicative connections between constituent components of the localpower network 102 may take on any of a variety of forms. Suchcommunicative connections may include any means for sending, receiving,and/or exchanging information between two or more constituent componentsof the local power network 102. In some implementations, modulatedcarrier signals are impressed on the power lines (e.g., power lines 226)of the local power network 102. As such, the same power lines used forpower transmission may be used to transfer information betweenconstituent components of the local power network 102. Examples of suchpower line communication may include a power line digital subscriberline (PDSL), mains communication, power line telecom (PLT), power linenetworking (PLN), broadband over power lines (BPL), and/or any otherpower line communication technology. Wired information transfertechnologies (e.g., Ethernet) and/or wireless information transfertechnologies (e.g., WiFi or other RF technology) may be utilized as oneor more communicative connections.

The loads 202 may include any apparatus that requires electrical powerto perform at least one functionality attributed thereto. Examples ofthe loads 202 may include appliances such as HVAC systems and kitchenappliances, lighting fixtures, consumer electronic devices such ascomputers and stereos, and/or any other apparatus that can be configuredto consume electrical power. some of the loads 202 may be permanentlyintegrated with the local power network 102. By way of non-limitingexample, the load 202 a may include a lighting fixture that ispermanently installed (i.e., hard-wired) in a building that includes thelocal power network 102 such that a connection between the load 202 andthe intelligent switch 208 a is substantially permanent. In contrast,some of the loads 202 may be removably coupled with the local powernetwork 102. The load 202 d, again by way of non-limiting example, mayinclude a personal computer that is removably connected with theintelligent outlet 210 a. The loads 202 may be controlled in variousmanners including, but not limited to, turning on, turning off, and/orchanging a power level (e.g., brightness for lights, temperature forHVAC systems, and so forth).

The power management system 204 may be configured to manage powerutilization of one or more of the loads 202. Such management may bebased at least in part on one or more factors such as, for example,scheduling criteria, planning requirements, business rules, optimizationparameters, and/or any other factors. In exemplary implementations, thepower management system 204 may provide circuit-level, switch-level,and/or outlet-level power control, monitoring, and/or scheduling. Thislevel of control may be used to eliminate or greatly reduce powerconsumption by one or more loads 202 that are in standby mode or othermodes where power leakage is probable.

The power management system 204 may access, control, and/or manipulatevarious constituent components of the local power network 102. In someimplementations, the local power network 102 may include or be otherwiseassociated with more than one power management system (e.g., powermanagement system 204) working in concert. In some implementations, thepower management system 204 may be configured such that a reboot of aprocessing platform that includes the power management system 204 doesnot interrupt power delivery within the local power network 102. Thepower management system 204 may be located remotely relative to thelocal power network 102, for example, within the computing device 108,and/or located elsewhere. An exemplary implementation of the powermanagement system 204 is described in further detail in connection withFIG. 3.

The intelligent distribution board 206 may include at least onedistribution board 214, at least one circuit controller 216, and/orother components. The distribution board 214 may include an apparatusconfigured to divide electrical power, such as that received from thepower supply 104, among constituent components of the local powernetwork 102. The circuit controller 216 may be configured to controlvarious aspects of the distribution board 214. According to someimplementations, the distribution board 214 and the circuit controller216 may be integrated as a single component having some or all of thefunctionalities attributed herein to the distribution board 214 and thecircuit controller 216. In some implementations, the distribution board214 may be a preexisting distribution board, wherein the circuitcontroller 216 is utilized to retrofit the preexisting distributionboard to form the intelligent distribution board 206.

The distribution board 214 may include one or more of a breaker panel,fuse box, fuse board, circuit breaker panel, consumer unit, panel board,load center, power breaker, and/or any other apparatus configured todivide electrical power among constituent components of the local powernetwork 102. The distribution board 214 may include breakers, fuses,and/or other protective devices configured to at least temporarilyprevent power from being delivered to constituent component of the localpower network 102. Various constituent components of the local powernetwork 102 may be organized into individual circuits, such that powermay be divided among the individual circuits by the distribution board214. By way of non-limiting example, the intelligent outlet 210 a andany loads connected thereto (e.g., the load 202 d), the intelligentoutlet 210 b and any loads connected thereto (e.g., the load 202 e), andthe intelligent switch 208 a with the load 202 a connected thereto maybe included in a single circuit and draw power from that single circuit.

As mentioned, various aspects of the distribution board 214 may becontrolled by the circuit controller 216. For example, the circuitcontroller 216 may be configured control the distribution board 214 soas to disconnect, energize, and/or otherwise control one or moreindividual circuits in the local power network 102. The circuitcontroller 216 may be configured to receive and/or exchange informationwith the power management system 204. The circuit controller 216 maycontrol aspects of the distribution board 214 based at least in part oninformation received from the power management system 204. Toillustrate, by way of non-limiting example, the circuit controller 216may modulate a breaker of the distribution board 214 in order to cutoffpower supplied to a circuit based on an instruction received from thepower management system 204. An exemplary implementation of the circuitcontroller 216 is described in further detail in connection FIG. 4.

The intelligent switches 208 may each include at least one switch 218and/or one switch controller 220 (see, e.g., intelligent switch 208 a).From a user's perspective, the intelligent switches may functionsimilarly to traditional household wall switches. The switch 218, forexample, may include an apparatus configured to reversibly connect anddisconnect, electrically, the load 202 a. When the load 202 a iselectrically connected, power may be provided to the load 202 a.Conversely, when the load 202 a is electrically disconnected, powerdelivery to the load 202 a is prevented. The switch controller 220 maybe configured to control the switch 218. In some implementations, theswitch 218 and the switch controller 220 may be integrated as a singlecomponent having some or all of the functionalities attributed herein tothe switch 218 and the switch controller 220. According to someimplementations, the switch 218 may be a preexisting switch, wherein theswitch controller 220 is utilized to retrofit the preexisting switch toform an intelligent switch such as the intelligent switch 208 a.

As indicated, the switch 218 may include an apparatus configured toreversibly connect and disconnect, electrically, the load 202 a.Examples of such apparatus that may be configured to reversibly connectand disconnect loads in the local power network 102 may include a pushbutton switch, a toggle switch, an illuminated switch, a rocker switch,a tamper resistant switch, a voltage class switch, a mercury switch, apull chain or pull cord switch, a dimmer switch, an electronic switch,and so forth. In one non-limiting example, the load 202 a may include alight fixture and the switch 218 may include a light switch configuredto turn the light fixture on and off. The switch 218 may facilitatetwo-way, three-way, four-way, and/or double-pole wiring schemes.

The switch 218, as mentioned, may be controlled by the switch controller220. For example, the switch controller 220 may be configured tomodulate the switch 218. The switch controller 220 may be configured toreceive and/or exchange information with the power management system204. As such, the switch controller 220 may modulate the switch 218based at least in part on information received from the power managementsystem 204. As a non-limiting illustration, the switch controller 220may modulate the switch 218 so that power is disconnected from the load220 a based on an instruction received from the power management system204. An exemplary implementation of the switch controller 220 isdescribed in further detail in connection with FIG. 5.

The intelligent outlets 210 may each include at least one outletreceptacle 222 and/or at least one outlet controller 224 (see, e.g.,intelligent outlet 210 a). From a user's perspective, the intelligentoutlets 210 may function similarly to traditional household walloutlets. The outlet receptacle 222 may include an apparatus configuredto facilitate a removable connection between, for example, theintelligent outlet 210 a and the load 202 d. The outlet controller 224may be configured to control an aspect of the outlet receptacle 222. Inaccordance with some implementations, the outlet receptacle 222 and theoutlet controller 224 may be integrated as a single component havingsome or all of the functionalities attributed herein to the outletreceptacle 222 and the outlet controller 224. In some implementations,the outlet receptacle 222 may be a preexisting outlet receptacle,wherein the outlet controller 224 is utilized to retrofit thepreexisting outlet receptacle to form an intelligent outlet such as theintelligent outlet 210 a.

As an apparatus configured to facilitate removable connections betweenan intelligent outlet 210 and a load 202, the outlet receptacle 222 mayinclude, for example, one or more female electrical connectors such aspower sockets, electric receptacles, and/or electrical outlets. A femaleelectrical connector may have slots and/or holes that accept and deliverpower to prongs of inserted plugs. By way of non-limiting example, theload 202 d may include a kitchen appliance having a cord with a plug atthe end that may be inserted into the outlet receptacle 222 in order toelectrically connect the kitchen appliance to the intelligent outlet 210a and, thus, receive electrical power.

As noted above, the outlet controller 224 may control aspects of theoutlet receptacle 222. More specifically, according to variousimplementations, the outlet controller 224 may control the outletreceptacle 222 such that power is prevented from being provided to aconnected load 202. The outlet controller 224 may be configured toreceive and/or exchange information with the power management system204. The control of the outlet controller 224 by the outlet receptacle222 may be based at least in part on information received from the powermanagement system 204. According to a non-limiting example, the outletcontroller 224 may control the outlet receptacle 222 such that powerceases to be provided to the load 202 d based on an instruction receivedfrom the power management system 204. An exemplary implementation of theoutlet controller 224 is described in further detail in connection withFIG. 6.

The power meter 212 may include any device or apparatus configured tomeasure electrical power delivered by a power line. The power meter 212may measure, for example, one or more of line current, line voltage,and/or other factors useful in determining power. As shown in FIG. 2,the power meter 212 may be positioned in-line between the power supply104 and the intelligent distribution board 206. In such a configuration,the power meter 212 may determine an amount of power delivered to thelocal power network 102 over a period of time. The power meter 212 maybe positioned in-line between various constituent components of thelocal power network 102. For example, the power meter 212 may bepositioned between the intelligent distribution board 206 and theintelligent outlet 210 a in order to determine an amount of powertransmitted between the intelligent distribution board 206 and theintelligent outlet 210 a. It will be appreciated that the local powernetwork 102 may include any number of power meters similar to powermeter 212, which may be positioned in any number of locations within thelocal power network 102. Information determined by the power meter 212may be obtained by other constituent component of the local powernetwork 102 in some implementations.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the power managementsystem 204 described in connection with FIG. 2. The power managementsystem 204 may be configured to manage power utilization of one or moreloads, such as the loads 202 described in connection with FIG. 2. Thepower management system 204 may include an electronic storage 302 and aprocessor 304.

Electronic storage 302 may include electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronically storage media ofelectronic storage 302 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with the powermanagement system 204 and/or removable storage that is removablyconnectable to the power management system 204 via, for example, a port(e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a diskdrive, etc.). Electronic storage 302 may include one or more ofoptically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.),magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic harddrive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g.,EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.),and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage302 may store software algorithms, information determined by theprocessor 304, information received via a user interface such as thatwhich may be provided by computing device 108 or a user interfaceintegral with the power management system 204, and/or other informationthat enables the power management system 204 to function properly.Electronic storage 302 may be a separate component within the powermanagement system 204, or electronic storage 302 may be providedintegrally with one or more other components of the power managementsystem 204 (e.g., the processor 304).

The processor 304 may be configured to provide information processingcapabilities in the power management system 204. As such, the processor304 may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor,a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information. Although theprocessor 304 is shown in FIG. 3 as a single entity, this is forillustrative purposes only. In some implementations, the processor 304may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units maybe physically located within the same device, or the processor 304 mayrepresent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operatingin coordination.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the processor 304 may be configured to executeone or more computer program modules and/or sub-modules. The one or morecomputer program modules and/or sub-modules may include one or more ofan interface module 306; a communications module 308; a powerutilization monitoring module 310; a load identification module 312; apower conservation module 314 that may include one or more of ascheduling sub-module 316, a business rules sub-module 318, a usageprofile sub-module 320, artificial intelligence sub-module 322, and/orother sub-modules; and/or other modules/sub-modules. The processor 304may be configured to execute modules/sub-modules 306, 308, 310, 312,314, 316, 318, 320 and/or 322 by software; hardware; firmware; somecombination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or othermechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on the processor 304.

It should be appreciated that although modules/sub-modules 306, 308,310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, and 322 are illustrated in FIG. 3 as beingco-located within a single processing unit, in implementations in whichthe processor 304 includes multiple processing units, one or more ofmodules/sub-modules 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, and/or 322may be located remotely from the other modules/sub-modules. Thedescription of the functionality provided by the differentmodules/sub-modules 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, and/or 322described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to belimiting, as any of modules/sub-modules 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316,318, 320, and/or 322 may provide more or less functionality than isdescribed. For example, one or more of modules/sub-modules 306, 308,310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, and/or 322 may be eliminated, and some orall of its functionality may be provided by other ones ofmodules/sub-modules 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, and/or 322.As another example, the processor 304 may be configured to execute oneor more additional modules and/or sub-modules that may perform some orall of the functionality attributed below to one of modules/sub-modules306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, and/or 322.

The interface module 306 may be configured to receive, from a user, aset of power management parameters. In some implementations, theinterface module 306 may be further configured to provide a graphicaluser interface to facilitate receiving the set of power managementparameters. Alternatively or additionally, the set of power managementparameters may be received from the user via a processing platform thatis entirely discrete and separate from the power management system 204such as the computing device 108 described in connection with FIG. 1.Power management parameters may include any parameter associated withthe loads 202 or other constituent components of the local power network102. By way of non-limiting example, some power management parametersare described in connection various modules and sub-modules herein.According to some implementations, the interface module 306 mayfacilitate automatic discovery and configuration (e.g., “plug and play”)of various controllers in the local power network 102 such as thecircuit controller 216, the switch controller 220, and/or the outletcontroller 224.

Generally speaking, the interface module 306 may be used in conjunctionwith one or more interface devices (not depicted in FIG. 3). Suchinterface devices may be configured to provide an interface between auser and the power management system 204 through which the user mayprovide information to and receive information from the power managementsystem 204. This enables data, results, and/or instructions and anyother communicable items, collectively referred to as “information,” tobe communicated between the user and the power management system 204.Examples of interface devices may include a keypad, buttons, switches, akeyboard, knobs, levers, a display screen, a touch screen, speakers, amicrophone, an indicator light, an audible alarm, and a printer.

It is to be understood that other communication techniques, eitherhard-wired or wireless, are contemplated by the present invention to beused in conjunction with the interface module 306. For example, thepresent invention contemplates that an interface device may beintegrated with a removable storage interface provided by electronicstorage 302. In this example, information may be loaded into the powermanagement system 204 from removable storage (e.g., a smart card, aflash drive, a removable disk, etc.) that enables the user(s) tocustomize the implementation of the power management system 204. Otherexemplary input devices and techniques adapted for use with the powermanagement system 204 as an interface device utilized in conjunctionwith the interface module 306 include, but are not limited to, an RS-232port, RF link, an IR link, modem (telephone, cable or other). In short,any technique for communicating information with the power managementsystem 204 is contemplated by the present invention to be utilized inconjunction with the interface module 306.

The communications module 308 may be configured to transfer information(e.g., instructions) between the power management system 204 and one ormore constituent components of the local power network 102 via one ormore communicative connections. For example, the communications module308 may transmit an instruction to the intelligent distribution board206, one or more intelligent switches 208, one or more intelligentoutlets 210, and/or constituent components thereof. As mentioned herein,communicative connections may include any means for sending, receiving,and/or exchanging information between two or more constituent componentsof the local power network 102.

The power utilization monitoring module 310 may be configured todetermine an amount of power utilized by at least one of the loads 202.Such a determination may be made through direct monitoring of powerutilization. For loads included in a given circuit that are not directlymonitored, the determination of power utilization may be computed suchas by subtracting the power utilization of monitored loads in the givencircuit from the total power utilization of the given circuit. Trendingmay be invoked to determine power utilization such as by comparingcircuit power utilization before and after a given load is energized.Additionally or alternatively, the determination may be based at leastin part on information received from other constituent components of thelocal power network 102 (e.g., the intelligent switches 208 and/or theintelligent outlets 210) indicative of power usage of associated loads202. In some implementations, the power utilization monitoring module310 may be configured to calculate an electric bill estimation based atleast in part on the amount of power utilized by the loads 202 and costsassociated with power delivered from the power supply 104. A report maybe generated that conveys information about power utilization within thelocal power network 102 such as, for example, individual outletutilization, individual circuit utilization, power usage as a functionof time, and so forth. Such a report may be presented by the interfacemodule 306.

According to some implementations, the power utilization monitoringmodule 310 may monitor voltage in the distribution board 214 to provideequipment protection, power quality monitoring, and/or other informationor safeguards associated with voltage. An example of equipmentprotection may include inhibiting power to one or more of the loads 202during brown-out or dropped phase conditions. Examples of power qualitymonitoring may include reporting (e.g., via graph) on voltage supplied,frequency supplied, harmonics observed, and/or other power qualitymetrics.

The load identification module 312 may be configured to obtain anidentity of at least one of the loads 202. In some implementations, theidentity is sensed based on usage profiles of a given load 202. Theidentity may be provided by a user, such as via the interface module306. The identity may be transmitted directly from the load 202, via anintelligent switch 208, and/or via an intelligent outlet 210.

The power conservation module 314 may be configured to generateinstructions for other constituent components of the local power network102 (e.g., the intelligent distribution board 206, the intelligentswitches 208, and/or the intelligent outlets 210). The generatedinstructions may be intended to effectuate energization and deactivationof one or more circuits in the local power network 102 and/or one ormore of the loads 202. The generated instructions may be based at leastin part on any number of power management parameters. For example, thegenerated instructions may be based at least in part on the identity ofat least one of the loads 202. The generated instructions may be basedat least in part one power management parameters of the schedulingsub-module 316, the business rules sub-module 318, and/or the usageprofile sub-module 320.

The scheduling sub-module 316 may be configured to manage a scheduleassociated with at least one of the loads 202. Such a schedule may beindicative of time periods of energization and deactivation of the oneor more circuits and/or the one or more of the loads 202. For example, aschedule may indicate that a circuit containing a particular load is tobe deactivated from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM on weekdays. A schedule may bestatically or dynamically established, and may be based at least in parton one or more of preset time periods, occupancy sensors, daylightsensors, computed dusk/dawn time, holiday schedules, and/or any othertiming indicator. The instructions generated by the power conservationmodule 314 may be based at least in part on the schedule.

The business rules sub-module 318 may be configured to manage one ormore business rules associated with the local power network 102. Abusiness rule may be a statement that defines or constrains some aspectof a business. A business rule may be intended to assert businessstructure or to control or influence the behavior of a business.Individual business rules that describe the same facet of a business maybe arranged into business rule sets. Business rules may describeoperations, definitions, and constraints that apply the loads 202 orvarious circuits to aid a business in achieving its goals. Theinstructions generated by the power conservation module 314 may be basedat least in part on the business rules.

The usage profile sub-module 320 may be configured to determine timeperiods of energization and deactivation of one or more circuits and/orone or more of the loads 202 based at least in part on a usage profileof one or more of the loads 202. A usage profile, for example, mayinclude a historical usage pattern of a particular load 202. As anillustration, when the usage profile sub-module 320 determines, based onpower consumption or some other factor, that a given load 202 is instandby mode during certain times, the usage profile sub-module 320 mayinform the power conservation module 314 to generate instructions todeactivate that given load 202 during those certain times.

The artificial intelligence sub-module 322 may be configured toadaptively manage goals associated with power utilization. Morespecifically, power utilization may be controlled to achieve one or moredesired goals such as meeting a power usage limit, budget constraints,and/or safety targets. Goals may be default goals, specified by a user,downloaded, configured automatically, and/or obtained by any othermanner or from any source. The artificial intelligence sub-module 322may observe an environment of the local power network 102 to determineroutines and to respond accordingly. For example, the artificialintelligence sub-module 322 may determine when to turn up an HVACthermostat and/or when to turn on a water heater in order to haveambient and/or water temperatures at a desired level at a learned time(e.g., when an alarm clock is expected to sound). The artificialintelligence sub-module 322 may be configured manage and/or schedulepower utilization by loads 202 based at least in part on external eventsand/or input. Examples of load management based on external events/inputmay include controlling lights based on a photo sensor; turning on alllights when a fire alarm sounds; turning off a range, oven, furnace, andso on when a fire alarm sounds; and/or turning on all interior lightsand flash exterior lights when a security system alarm sounds. Theinstructions generated by the power conservation module 314 may be basedat least in part on goals managed by the artificial intelligencesub-module 322.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the circuit controller216 described in connection with FIG. 2. The circuit controller 216 maybe configured to control various aspects of the distribution board 214described in connection with FIG. 2. For example, the circuit controller216 may be configured to reversibly effectuate energization anddeactivation of one or more circuits to which the distribution board 214divides power. The circuit controller 216 may include an electronicstorage 402 and a processor 404.

Electronic storage 402 may include electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronically storage media ofelectronic storage 402 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with the circuitcontroller 216 and/or removable storage that is removably connectable tothe circuit controller 216 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, afirewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronicstorage 402 may include one or more of optically readable storage media(e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g.,magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electricalcharge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-statestorage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronicallyreadable storage media. Electronic storage 402 may store softwarealgorithms, information determined by the processor 404, informationreceived via a user interface such as that which may be provided bycomputing device 108 or a user interface integral with the powermanagement system 204, and/or other information that enables the circuitcontroller 216 to function properly. Electronic storage 402 may be aseparate component within the circuit controller 216, or electronicstorage 402 may be provided integrally with one or more other componentsof the circuit controller 216 (e.g., the processor 404).

The processor 404 may be configured to provide information processingcapabilities in the circuit controller 216. As such, the processor 404may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information. Although theprocessor 404 is shown in FIG. 4 as a single entity, this is forillustrative purposes only. In some implementations, the processor 404may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units maybe physically located within the same device, or the processor 404 mayrepresent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operatingin coordination.

As is shown in FIG. 4, the processor 404 may be configured to executeone or more computer program modules. The one or more computer programmodules may include one or more of a communications module 406, acircuit regulator module 408, a power utilization monitoring module 410,a load identification module 412, and/or other modules/sub-modules. Theprocessor 404 may be configured to execute modules 406, 408, 410, and/or412 by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software,hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuringprocessing capabilities on the processor 404.

It should be appreciated that although modules 406, 408, 410, and 412are illustrated in FIG. 4 as being co-located within a single processingunit, in implementations in which the processor 404 includes multipleprocessing units, one or more of modules 406, 408, 410, and/or 412 maybe located remotely from the other modules. The description of thefunctionality provided by the different modules 406, 408, 410, and/or412 described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended tobe limiting, as any of modules 406, 408, 410, and/or 412 may providemore or less functionality than is described. For example, one or moreof modules 406, 408, 410, and/or 412 may be eliminated, and some or allof its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules 406, 408,410, and/or 412. As another example, the processor 404 may be configuredto execute one or more additional modules and/or sub-modules that mayperform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one ofmodules 406, 408, 410, and/or 412.

The communications module 406 may be configured to transfer information(e.g., instruction) to and from the power management system 204 via acommunicative connection. For example, the communications module 406 mayreceive an instruction from the power management system 204 to energizeor deactivate one or more circuits to which the distribution board 214divides power among. As mentioned herein, communicative connections mayinclude any means for sending, receiving, and/or exchanging informationbetween two or more constituent components of the local power network102.

The circuit regulator module 408 may be configured to reversiblyeffectuate energization and deactivation of the one or more circuitsand/or one or more of the loads 202 in response to instructions receivedfrom the power management system 204. For example, execution of thecircuit regulator module 408 may cause a breaker having controlledswitching capability included in the distribution board 214 todeactivate a particular circuit in response to a received instruction todeactivate a given load 202 contained in that particular circuit.

The power utilization monitoring module 410 may be configured todetermine an indication of an amount of power utilized by at least onecircuit or at least one of the loads 202. Such a determination may bemade through direct monitoring of power utilization. Additionally oralternatively, the indication may be transmitted to the power managementsystem 204 via the communications module 406.

The load identification module 412 may be configured to obtain anidentity of at least one of the loads 202. In some implementations, theidentity is sensed based on usage profiles of a given load 202. Theidentity may be provided by a user. The identity may be receiveddirectly from the load 202. The identity may be transmitted to the powermanagement system 204 via the communications module 406.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the switch controller220 described in connection with FIG. 2. The switch controller 220 maybe configured to control the switch 218 described in connection withFIG. 2. For example, the switch controller 220 may be configured toreversibly effectuate energization and deactivation of one or more loads202 connected with an associated switch 218. The switch controller 220may include an electronic storage 502 and a processor 504.

Electronic storage 502 may include electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronically storage media ofelectronic storage 502 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with the switchcontroller 220 and/or removable storage that is removably connectable tothe switch controller 220 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, afirewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronicstorage 502 may include one or more of optically readable storage media(e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g.,magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electricalcharge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-statestorage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronicallyreadable storage media. Electronic storage 502 may store softwarealgorithms, information determined by the processor 504, informationreceived via a user interface such as that which may be provided bycomputing device 108 or a user interface integral with the powermanagement system 204, and/or other information that enables the switchcontroller 220 to function properly. Electronic storage 502 may be aseparate component within the switch controller 220, or electronicstorage 502 may be provided integrally with one or more other componentsof the switch controller 220 (e.g., the processor 504).

The processor 504 may be configured to provide information processingcapabilities in the switch controller 220. As such, the processor 504may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information. Although theprocessor 504 is shown in FIG. 5 as a single entity, this is forillustrative purposes only. In some implementations, the processor 504may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units maybe physically located within the same device, or the processor 504 mayrepresent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operatingin coordination.

As is shown in FIG. 5, the processor 504 may be configured to executeone or more computer program modules. The one or more computer programmodules may include one or more of a communications module 506, a switchregulator module 508, a power utilization monitoring module 510, a loadidentification module 512, and/or other modules/sub-modules. Theprocessor 504 may be configured to execute modules 506, 508, 510, and/or512 by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software,hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuringprocessing capabilities on the processor 504.

It should be appreciated that although modules 506, 508, 510, and 512are illustrated in FIG. 5 as being co-located within a single processingunit, in implementations in which the processor 504 includes multipleprocessing units, one or more of modules 506, 508, 510, and/or 512 maybe located remotely from the other modules. The description of thefunctionality provided by the different modules 506, 508, 510, and/or512 described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended tobe limiting, as any of modules 506, 508, 510, and/or 512 may providemore or less functionality than is described. For example, one or moreof modules 506, 508, 510, and/or 512 may be eliminated, and some or allof its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules 506, 508,510, and/or 512. As another example, the processor 504 may be configuredto execute one or more additional modules and/or sub-modules that mayperform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one ofmodules 506, 508, 510, and/or 512.

The communications module 506 may be configured to transfer information(e.g., instruction) to and from the power management system 204 via acommunicative connection. For example, the communications module 506 mayreceive an instruction from the power management system 204 to energizeor deactivate a load connected to an associated switch 218. As mentionedherein, communicative connections may include any means for sending,receiving, and/or exchanging information between two or more constituentcomponents of the local power network 102.

The switch regulator module 508 may be configured to reversiblyeffectuate energization and deactivation of one or more of the loads 202connected to an associated switch 218 in response to instructionsreceived from the power management system 204. For example, execution ofthe switch regulator module 508 may cause a switch to be actuated todeactivate a particular load 202 in response to a received instructionto deactivate that given load 202.

The power utilization monitoring module 510 may be configured todetermine an indication of an amount of power utilized by at least oneof the loads 202. Such a determination may be made through directmonitoring of power utilization. Additionally or alternatively, theindication may be transmitted to the power management system 204 via thecommunications module 506.

The load identification module 512 may be configured to obtain anidentity of at least one of the loads 202. In some implementations, theidentity is sensed based on usage profiles of a given load 202. Theidentity may be provided by a user. The identity may be receiveddirectly from the load 202. The identity may be transmitted to the powermanagement system 204 via the communications module 506.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the outlet controller224 described in connection with FIG. 2. The outlet controller 224 maybe configured to control an aspect of the outlet receptacle 222described in connection with FIG. 2. For example, the outlet controller224 may be configured to reversibly effectuate energization anddeactivation of one or more loads 202 connected to an associated outletreceptacle 222. The outlet controller 224 may include an electronicstorage 602 and a processor 604.

Electronic storage 602 may include electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronically storage media ofelectronic storage 602 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with the outletcontroller 224 and/or removable storage that is removably connectable tothe outlet controller 224 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, afirewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronicstorage 602 may include one or more of optically readable storage media(e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g.,magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electricalcharge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-statestorage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronicallyreadable storage media. Electronic storage 602 may store softwarealgorithms, information determined by the processor 604, informationreceived via a user interface such as that which may be provided bycomputing device 108 or a user interface integral with the powermanagement system 204, and/or other information that enables the outletcontroller 224 to function properly. Electronic storage 602 may be aseparate component within the outlet controller 224, or electronicstorage 602 may be provided integrally with one or more other componentsof the outlet controller 224 (e.g., the processor 604).

The processor 604 may be configured to provide information processingcapabilities in the outlet controller 224. As such, the processor 604may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information. Although theprocessor 604 is shown in FIG. 6 as a single entity, this is forillustrative purposes only. In some implementations, the processor 604may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units maybe physically located within the same device, or the processor 604 mayrepresent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operatingin coordination.

As is shown in FIG. 6, the processor 604 may be configured to executeone or more computer program modules. The one or more computer programmodules may include one or more of a communications module 606, a outletregulator module 608, a power utilization monitoring module 610, a loadidentification module 612, and/or other modules/sub-modules. Theprocessor 604 may be configured to execute modules 606, 608, 610, and/or612 by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software,hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuringprocessing capabilities on the processor 604.

It should be appreciated that although modules 606, 608, 610, and 612are illustrated in FIG. 6 as being co-located within a single processingunit, in implementations in which the processor 604 includes multipleprocessing units, one or more of modules 606, 608, 610, and/or 612 maybe located remotely from the other modules. The description of thefunctionality provided by the different modules 606, 608, 610, and/or612 described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended tobe limiting, as any of modules 606, 608, 610, and/or 612 may providemore or less functionality than is described. For example, one or moreof modules 606, 608, 610, and/or 612 may be eliminated, and some or allof its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules 606, 608,610, and/or 612. As another example, the processor 604 may be configuredto execute one or more additional modules and/or sub-modules that mayperform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one ofmodules 606, 608, 610, and/or 612.

The communications module 606 may be configured to transfer information(e.g., instruction) to and from the power management system 204 via acommunicative connection. For example, the communications module 606 mayreceive an instruction from the power management system 204 to energizeor deactivate a load connected to an associated outlet receptacle 222.As mentioned herein, communicative connections may include any means forsending, receiving, and/or exchanging information between two or moreconstituent components of the local power network 102.

The outlet regulator module 608 may be configured to reversiblyeffectuate energization and deactivation of one or more of the loads 202connected to an associated outlet receptacle 222 in response toinstructions received from the power management system 204. For example,execution of the outlet regulator module 608 may cause an internalswitching mechanism of an associated intelligent outlet 210 to beactuated to deactivate a particular load 202 in response to a receivedinstruction to deactivate that given load 202.

The power utilization monitoring module 610 may be configured todetermine an indication of an amount of power utilized by at least oneof the loads 202. Such a determination may be made through directmonitoring of power utilization. Additionally or alternatively, theindication may be transmitted to the power management system 204 via thecommunications module 606.

The load identification module 612 may be configured to obtain anidentity of at least one of the loads 202. In some implementations, theidentity is sensed based on usage profiles of a given load 202. Theidentity may be provided by a user. The identity may be receiveddirectly from the load 202. The identity may be transmitted to the powermanagement system 204 via the communications module 606.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power management system configured to managepower utilization of one or more of loads within a local power networkof a temporary structure, the power management system comprising: acommunicative connection configured to be communicatively coupled with acircuit controller of a distribution board installed in the temporarystructure, the distribution board being configured to divide electricalpower among one or more circuits each configured to contain at least oneload, the circuit controller being configured to reversibly effectuateenergization and deactivation of individual ones of the one or morecircuits, wherein a given load is electrically coupled with a givencircuit via a lighting fixture or an outlet receptacle installed in thetemporary structure; and one or more processors configured to executecomputer program modules, the computer program modules comprising: aninterface module configured to provide a graphical user interface forpresentation to a user, the graphical user interface being configured toreceive, from the user, a set of power management parameters including atotal power usage limit associated with one or both of at least one loador at least one circuit; a power conservation module configured togenerate instructions for the circuit controller, the generatedinstructions being configured to effectuate energization anddeactivation of the one or more circuits by the circuit controller,wherein the generated instructions are based on the total power usagelimit; and a communications module configured to transmit the generatedinstructions from the power management system to the circuit controllervia the communicative connection.
 2. The power management system ofclaim 1, wherein the computer program modules further comprise a powerutilization monitoring module configured to determine an amount of powerutilized by the at least one load.
 3. The power management system ofclaim 2, wherein the power utilization monitoring module is furtherconfigured to calculate an electric bill estimation based at least inpart on the amount of power utilized by the at least one load.
 4. Thepower management system of claim 1, wherein the computer program modulesfurther comprise a load identification module configured to obtain anidentity of the at least one load, the generated instructions beingbased at least in part on the identity of the at least one load.
 5. Thepower management system of claim 1, wherein the power conservationmodule includes a scheduling sub-module configured to manage a scheduleassociated with the at least one load, the schedule indicative of timeperiods of energization and deactivation of the one or more circuits,the generated instructions being based at least in part on the schedule.6. The power management system of claim 1, wherein the powerconservation module includes a business rules sub-module configured tomanage one or more business rules, the generated instructions based atleast in part on the one or more business rules.
 7. The power managementsystem of claim 1, wherein the power conservation module includes ausage profile sub-module configured to determine time periods ofenergization and deactivation of the one or more circuits based at leastin part on a usage profile of the at least one load.
 8. The powermanagement system of claim 1, wherein the power conservation moduleincludes an artificial intelligence sub-module configured to adaptivelymanage goals associated with power utilization.
 9. The power managementsystem of claim 1, wherein the communicative connection includes a powerline that facilitates power line communication.
 10. A circuit controllerconfigured to control a distribution board that divides electrical poweramong one or more circuits each configured to contain at least one loadwithin a local power network of a temporary structure, the circuitcontroller comprising: a communicative connection configured to becommunicatively coupled with a power management system, the powermanagement system configured (1) to receive, from a user via a graphicaluser interface provided by an interface module included in the powermanagement system, a set of power management parameters including atotal power usage limit associated with one or both of at least one loador at least one circuit, (2) to generate instructions for the circuitcontroller to effectuate energization and deactivation of the one ormore circuits based on the total power usage limit, and (3) to transmitthe generated instructions from the power management system to thecircuit controller, wherein the distribution board is installed in thetemporary structure, and wherein a given load is electrically coupledwith a given circuit via a lighting fixture or an outlet receptacleinstalled in the temporary structure; and one or more processorsconfigured to execute computer program modules, the computer programmodules comprising: a communications module configured to receive thegenerated instructions from the power management system via thecommunicative connection; and a circuit regulator module configured toreversibly effectuate energization and deactivation of the one or morecircuits in response to the generated instructions.
 11. The circuitcontroller of claim 10, wherein the computer program modules furthercomprise a power utilization monitoring module configured to determinean indication of an amount of power utilized by the at least one load,and wherein the communications module is further configured to transmitthe indication to the power management system.
 12. The circuitcontroller of claim 10, wherein the computer program modules furthercomprise a load identification module configured to determine anidentity of the at least one load, and wherein the communications moduleis further configured to transmit the identity of the at least one loadto the power management system.
 13. The circuit controller of claim 10,wherein the generated instructions are based at least in part on theidentity of the at least one load.
 14. A switch controller configured tocontrol a switch configured to be electrically coupled with at least oneload within a local power network of a temporary structure, the switchcontroller comprising: a communicative connection configured to becommunicatively coupled with a power management system, the powermanagement system configured (1) to receive, from a user via a graphicaluser interface provided by an interface module included in the powermanagement system, a set of power management parameters including atotal power usage limit associated with one or both of at least one loador at least one circuit, (2) to generate instructions for the switchcontroller to effectuate energization and deactivation of at least oneload based on the total power usage limit, and (3) to transmit thegenerated instructions from the power management system to the switchcontroller, wherein the switch is installed in the temporary structure,and wherein a given load is electrically coupled with a given circuitvia a lighting fixture or an outlet receptacle installed in thetemporary structure; and one or more processors configured to executecomputer program modules, the computer program modules comprising: acommunications module configured to receive the generated instructionsfrom the power management system via the communicative connection; and aswitch regulator module configured to reversibly effectuate energizationand deactivation of the at least one load electrically coupled to theswitch in response to the generated instructions by reversiblyeffectuating energization and deactivation of the switch and/or bymodulating the switch.
 15. The switch controller of claim 14, whereinthe computer program modules further comprise a power utilizationmonitoring module configured to determine an indication of an amount ofpower utilized by the at least one load, and wherein the communicationsmodule is further configured to transmit the indication to the powermanagement system.
 16. The switch controller of claim 14, wherein thecomputer program modules further comprise a load identification moduleconfigured to determine an identity of the at least one load, andwherein the communications module is further configured to transmit theidentity of the at least one load to the power management system. 17.The switch controller of claim 16, wherein the generated instructionsare based at least in part on the identity of the at least one load. 18.An outlet controller configured to control an outlet receptacleconfigured to be electrically coupled with at least one load within alocal power network of a temporary structure, the outlet controllercomprising: a communicative connection configured to be communicativelycoupled with a power management system, the power management systemconfigured (1) to receive, from a user via a graphical user interfaceprovided by an interface module included in the power management system,a set of power management parameters including a total power usage limitassociated with one or both of at least one load or at least onecircuit, (2) to generate instructions for the outlet controller toeffectuate energization and deactivation of the at least one load basedon the total power usage limit, and (3) to transmit the generatedinstructions from the power management system to the outlet controller,wherein the outlet receptacle is installed in one of the temporarystructure; and one or more processors configured to execute computerprogram modules, the computer program modules comprising: acommunications module configured to receive the generated instructionsfrom the power management system via the communicative connection; andan outlet regulator module configured to reversibly effectuateenergization and deactivation of the at least one load electricallycoupled to the outlet receptacle in response to the generatedinstructions by reversibly effectuating energization and deactivation ofthe outlet receptacle.
 19. The outlet controller of claim 18, whereinthe computer program modules further comprise a power utilizationmonitoring module configured to determine an indication of an amount ofpower utilized by the at least one load, and wherein the communicationsmodule is further configured to transmit the indication to the powermanagement system.
 20. The outlet controller of claim 18, wherein thecomputer program modules further comprise a load identification moduleconfigured to determine an identity of the at least one load, andwherein the communications module is further configured to transmit theidentity of the at least one load to the power management system. 21.The outlet controller of claim 20, wherein the generated instructionsare based at least in part on the identity of the at least one load.